Catalyst Theatre is an award winning Strathcona-based theatre company that creates and tours new work by Jonathan Christensen and a team of artists. This year, Jonathan took on Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein. Meeting and surpassing the success of The Blue Orphan was a monster of a challenge. If rave reviews and sold out audiences are an indication, Frankenstein accomplished its goal. For the many who could not get tickets in March, Frankenstein returns in February of 2008.
Die-NastyVarscona Theatre
10329 – 83 Avenue
780.433.3399
Passion! Intrigue! Betrayal! All these and more await audiences Monday nights at the Varsona Theatre, home to the internationally renowned live improvised soap opera, Die-Nasty. Running since 1991, Die-Nasty is a true Edmonton comedy institution. Through the years, Die-Nasty has been honoured with numerous awards including the 2006 Canadian Comedy Award and has toured across the world, including the prestigious Chicago Improv Festival.
Fringe Theatre AdventuresTransAlta Arts Barns
10330 84 Avenue
780.448.9000
For over 27 years, Fringe Theatre Adventures (FTA) has been an unfailing presenter and champion of quality regional, national and international theatre. FTA is venturing away from programming only Theatre for Young Audience shows and instead, will offer a menu of theatre for all audiences. Their new season includes three local children’s productions, a family premiere and two Fringe favorites from the past.
Northern Light TheatreOffice:
“The New Space”
#201, 8908-99 St
Provocative. Unique. Innovative. Edmonton’s Northern Light Theatre has defined themselves as a company dedicated to embracing and promoting local Edmonton talent, fostering and developing new work and producing intimate and affecting theatre that speaks to the modern audience.
In 2009, after twenty-nine years NLT has taken residence in Old Strathcona. After thirty-four years in business, Northern Light Theatre continues to tackle further challenges and expansion to the company’s creative outlook- consistently attempting to produce alternative theatre featuring rich language-based texts and provocative scripts.
Oh Susanna!
Varscona Theatre
10329 – 83 Avenue
780.433.3399
The variety show, Oh Susanna, starring Mark Meer, takes the stage the last Saturday of every month. The notorious Euro-style variety / game show is presided over by Italian celebrity sexpot Susanna Patchouli (Mark Meer). Experience sensational musical acts, cocktail sampling, hilarious plays written by children, plus revealing interviews with celebrity guests who are then pitted against one another in shocking tests of mental and physical dexterity.
Rapid Fire TheatreVarscona Theatre
10329 – 83 Avenue
780.433.3399
Long before TV shows like Whose Line is it Anyway? became popular, the art of improvisation was alive and well in Old Strathcona and continues to flourish. Theatresports, Chimprov, Touring Shows and workshops are among Rapid Fire's improvisation offerings. Theatresports, a weekly improv show and draws capacity audiences to the Varscona Theatre every Friday night at 11. Chimprov, a long-form improv show with no rules, no limits and no guarantees (except continuous laughs!), runs the first three Saturday nights of every month at 11 o'clock.
Shadow TheatreVarscona Theatre
10329 – 83 Avenue
780.433.3399
Now entering their 16th season, Shadow presents live theatre that hits your heart and opens your mind. Shadow Theatre scours the globe to bring audiences the best contemporary theatre, by playwrights from across the country and from right here in Edmonton. Artistic director John Hudson has programmed an eclectic season of classic, new and contemporary plays. David Belke, called "one of the most accomplished playwrights" by Edmonton's Vue Magazine, is Shadow Theatre's Playwright in Residence.
Teatro La QuindicinaVarscona Theatre
10329 – 83 Avenue
780.433.3399
A dedicated ensemble of performers presenting new works created specifically around their talents is the heart of the strategy at Teatro La Quindicina, which was formed for the first Edmonton Fringe Theatre Festival in 1982. Teatro has been performing regularly at The Varscona Theatre since 1993 and is guided by Jeff Haslam and was founded by renowned playwright and director Stewart Lemoine.
Walterdale Playhouse10322 – 83 Avenue
780.439.2845
Walterdale Playhouse is western Canada's longest running community theatre. It has presented an eclectic selection of Canadian and International plays for 48 seasons, including many Edmonton premieres. Originally formed by a group of dramatists wishing to bring their combined talent to the community, Walterdale Playhouse continues to develop and showcase talent. Solely operated by volunteers with a love of theatre, Walterdale Playhouse provides members with a unique opportunity to participate in every aspect of live theatre.